Ravik Bhattacharya from Kolkata reports that the number of deaths in the warehouse collapse in Taratala, the city's South, has gone up to 5. Twenty injured people have been rescued so far.
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Kolkata deaths rise to 5
The roof reportedly collapsed when the concrete casting work was underway, leaving the debris in its wake. (Express Photo)Breaking News Live Updates: Rescue operation is underway after the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata’s Taratala area, trapping several labourers under the debris and killing 5, injuring 20. A Kolkata Police official said 20 people have so far been rescued. The Army has been deployed to assist in the efforts, while disaster management and Kolkata police teams are also present at the spot.
If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in. This blog is curated by Merin Varghese, Sneha Sharma, Chithira N Raju and Navya Roshan.
Lucknow fire incident
As many as 25 officials will face action after a fire in a three-story building in Lucknow’s Aliganj killed 15 people on Monday. Strict action has been recommended against 19 engineers and 6 Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers in connection with the fire incident, said Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) Vice-Chairman Prathmesh Kumar.
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Iran invites PM Modi for Khamenei’s funeral
As Iran prepares for a multi-city state funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, President Masoud Pezeshkian has sent a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the programme next month. As per sources, the formal invite on behalf of President Pezeshkian was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday by the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi. They add that the Embassy received the formal note from Tehran two days ago in this regard.
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has been directed to provide a voice sample after a Bidhannagar court allowed the CID’s request in connection with its probe into his controversial “DJ” remarks made during the West Bengal Assembly election campaign. The voice sample will be recorded on June 30 in the presence of a magistrate and forensic experts. Banerjee, who has already been questioned by the CID, is facing an investigation over comments allegedly linked to post-election celebrations. In a parallel development, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday declined an urgent hearing on his plea seeking permission to travel abroad for eye treatment. While granting him protection from coercive action until July 31 in the case related to alleged remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Arunachal rain fury
Continuous heavy rainfall caused flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday, flooding low-lying areas and damaging 18 houses. Landslides on a national highway also disrupted traffic, leaving several people stranded. Three people have been reported missing amid the weather-related incidents.
CJP’s X handle restoration
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is set to appear before the Review Committee of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at 3 pm on Wednesday to challenge the withholding of the party’s X account, CJP_2029. Dipke said he will personally present his case before the Inter-Ministerial Committee reviewing the blocking of the Cockroach Janata Party’s first X handle in India.
Express Investigation: 2020 audit predicted Ram mandir donation row
An Indian Express investigation reveals that a 2020 audit flagged the absence of standard operating procedures around Rs 3,500 crore in cash donations received by the Ram Mandir trust — six years before the current SIT probe into alleged fund irregularities. The audit firm’s report, submitted in November 2020, had recommended devising an SOP for each level of transaction, data management, staff and other resources to fix responsibility and accountability — a warning that went unheeded until the matter became the subject of a formal investigation.
Thiruvananthapuram councillors to retake oath
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed 20 councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to retake their oath of office after finding fault with the manner in which they had sworn in. Hearing a petition challenging oaths taken in the names of various deities, martyrs, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan instructed the State Election Commission to make necessary arrangements for the councillors to take the oath again in accordance with the prescribed legal format within four weeks.
Bhagwant Mann bribery case
Gurgaon Police have arrested two men accused of issuing allegedly fabricated forensic reports linked to a controversial video allegedly involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday. Investigators said the accused were contract employees with the NIA and Haryana’s Parivar Pehchan Patra programme but were not associated with any recognised forensic laboratory. According to police, the duo issued separate reports concluding that the person seen in the video was not Mann. However, the laboratories they claimed to represent, Cypher Sentinel in Jind, Haryana, and Cyber Yaan in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, were found to have no official existence in government records. The arrests were made following a complaint by forensic expert Jaspreet Singh, who alleged that he was pressured to obtain favourable opinions and paid Rs 10 lakh for the reports. Police said they have gathered evidence regarding the money trail and are also probing allegations involving two senior Punjab Police officers.
Live Updates
Jun 24, 2026 07:43 PM IST
VHP demands FIR, fast-track court hearing in Ayodhya donation matter
Following the submission of a preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the alleged misappropriation of donations and valuables at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded the immediate filing of an FIR, an expedited investigation, and daily hearings in a fast-track court to ensure maximum punishment for those responsible. Citing "inevitable" circumstances, the VHP has also postponed its annual management committee meeting. The SIT's report reportedly identifies lapses in the supervision, handling, and counting of donations, as well as in the maintenance of CCTV footage, and references individuals involved in these processes.
Lalmani Verma reports
Jun 24, 2026 07:03 PM IST
25 officials to face action over Lucknow building fire that killed 15
As many as 25 officials will face action after a fire in a three-story building in Lucknow’s Aliganj killed 15 people on Monday. Strict action has been recommended against 19 engineers and 6 Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers in connection with the fire incident, said Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) Vice-Chairman Prathmesh Kumar.
Jun 24, 2026 06:45 PM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs meet LS Speaker Om Birla, seek copy of demands submitted by rebels
Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, urging him to share the demands submitted by six rebel party MPs who have defected to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The rebel MPs — Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure — are among nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, leaving only Sawant, Desai and Rajabhau Waje with the Thackeray faction.
The UBT leaders stressed that the Tenth Schedule bars any legislature party group from merging with another party independently, even with a two-thirds majority, and asked the Speaker to uphold constitutional provisions. Birla told them nothing had been received in writing from the rebel MPs and promised to update them after checking with his office.
With PTI inputs
Jun 24, 2026 06:25 PM IST
Tarun Tejpal acquittal: Goa government questions trial court’s silence on woman’s ‘character assassination’
Pavneet Singh Chadha in Panaji reports: Challenging the acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka who was accused of sexually assaulting his then colleague in a Goa hotel in 2013, the Goa government on Wednesday argued before the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it was a “classic case of perverse findings”.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, told the High Court that “embarrassing” questions put to the complainant during her cross-examination, concerning whether it is immoral to have consensual sex or consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes voluntarily or whether she had conversations containing “sexual overtones” with friends, should not have been asked or taken into consideration by the trial court.
Jun 24, 2026 05:48 PM IST
Kolkata warehouse collapse: Building plan faulty, says Suvendu Adhikari
Building plan of under-construction warehouse that collapsed in Kolkata faulty, says Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
Jun 24, 2026 05:40 PM IST
Five arrested in Varanasi for cooking non-vegetarian food, consuming alcohol on boat along River Ganges
Varanasi police have arrested five local men—Deepak Kumar, Ajay Sahni, Arun Kumar Sahni, Anurag Nishad, and Rahul Sahni—after a viral video surfaced showing them allegedly consuming alcohol and preparing non-vegetarian food on a boat on the River Ganges.
Following the video's circulation, authorities investigated the footage, identified the individuals involved, and seized the boat used in the gathering.
Jun 24, 2026 05:19 PM IST
West Bengal CM Adhikari extends condolences to Kolkata warehouse collapse victims
Suvendhu Adhikari, the West Bengal Chief Minister, expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in the collapse of an under-construction warehouse building in Kolkata's Taratala, in a post on X.
Deeply pained and saddened by the tragic loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction warehouse building near Brace Bridge in Taratala, where several workers got trapped beneath the debris. So far 21 people have been pulled out of the collapsed structure, out of… pic.twitter.com/Hq9vZhg5AI
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) June 24, 2026
Jun 24, 2026 05:05 PM IST
Supreme Court dismisses EWS candidate's plea against high fees in private colleges
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea from a General Category EWS candidate challenging the high fees charged by private medical colleges in Rajasthan, asserting that forcing these self-financing institutions to charge rates on par with government colleges could threaten their viability and lead to their closure. The petitioner, who cited the National Medical Commission Act and a 2022 Office Memorandum advocating for fee parity for 50% of seats, argued that the current fees, ranging from Rs 18 to 25 lakhs, were prohibitive.
Ananthakrishnan G reports
Jun 24, 2026 04:12 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse: Rescue operation underway. Watch video
After the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata’s Taratala area on Wednesday, trapping several labourers under the debris.
Watch video
VIDEO | West Kolkata under-construction warehouse collapse: Disaster management team brings in machinery for rescue ops.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 24, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#kolkata pic.twitter.com/9qaLdcMOht
Jun 24, 2026 03:56 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse: 30 workers feared trapped after collapse
At least 30 workers are feared trapped after the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata's Taratala on Wednesday. According to preliminary information, around 50 to 60 labourers were working at the site when the incident occurred.
The roof reportedly gave way while concrete casting work was underway, leaving a large amount of debris in its wake.
Rescue operations are now underway at the site, with 13 people already pulled out and rushed to SSKM Hospital.
The Army has been deployed to assist in the efforts, while disaster management teams and the Kolkata police are also present at the spot.
Jun 24, 2026 03:50 PM IST
Motorists in Rajasthan to experience barrier free tolling experience
Rajasthan has got its first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Daulatpura Toll Plaza on the Delhi–Jaipur section of NH-48. The MLFF comes with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and #fastag-based Electronic Toll Collection, enabling vehicles to pass through toll locations without stopping, ensuring seamless traffic flow, reduced waiting time, improved fuel efficiency and lower vehicular emissions.
Jun 24, 2026 03:43 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse: Ambulance and cranes to the rescue, first pictures
Express Photo by Partha Paul
Jun 24, 2026 03:39 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse: Rescue underway, first pictures
Express Photo by Partha Paul
Jun 24, 2026 03:37 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse: Rescue underway
Rescue operation is currently underway at the Taratala incident site.
Express photo by Partha Pual
Jun 24, 2026 03:36 PM IST
India yet to decide on its representation for Khamenei's funeral, says source
As mentioned earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the funeral of Iran's late Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei next month. Sources in New Delhi say that India is yet to decide on its representation for the Supreme leader’s state funeral programme in Iran next month.
Here are more updates from our reporter Divya A in New Delhi. Divya A reports that Modi is among a host of world leaders who have received formal invitations on behalf of President Pezeshkian, including those from China, Russia, Qatar, France and Pakistan. On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that a Pakistani delegation will attend the funeral of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Prime Minister Modi’s last official bilateral visit to Iran was in May 2016, when he had met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and then President Hassan Rouhani to sign a trilateral agreement for the development of the Chabahar Port. Two years later, in February 2018, President Rouhani made an official visit to India, over the invitation of PM Modi, when he visited New Delhi and Hyderabad.
Modi and Pezeshkian had last met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, during which PM Modi had invited Pezeshkian to visit India.
In 2024, after the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash, then Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar had visited Tehran to represent India.
He led the Indian delegation at the official memorial and condolence ceremony, along with senior MEA officials. While PM Modi had expressed his condolences through a post on X, India had also declared a one-day state mourning on May 21, 2024.
India formally condoled the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 5, almost a week after his death. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to sign the official condolence book.
Jun 24, 2026 03:26 PM IST
Iran invites PM Modi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral next month
As Iran prepares for a multi-city state funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28, President Masoud Pezeshkian has sent a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the programme next month. As per sources, the formal invite on behalf of President Pezeshkian was sent to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday by the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi. They add that the Embassy received the formal note from Tehran two days ago in this regard.
Jun 24, 2026 03:10 PM IST
Karnataka: Terror suspect with alleged Pakistan links arrested in Davanagere, handed over to Tumakuru Police
Atiya Firdos in Bengaluru reported that a 20-year-old man suspected of being in contact with individuals linked to terrorist activities in Pakistan was arrested in Karnataka's Davanagere district and was later handed over to Tumakuru police for further investigation, officials said.
The accused, identified as Suhail, a native of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was employed as a painter at a factory in Harihar taluk. Police sources said he was apprehended during a pre-dawn operation on June 23 based on information allegedly obtained from a terror suspect arrested in Tumakuru on June 4.
According to investigators, material related to suspected terror activities was found on Suhail's WhatsApp account during preliminary scrutiny. Police suspect that he had been in contact with several individuals in Pakistan and other locations.
Following initial questioning by Davanagere police, Suhail was transferred to the custody of Tumakuru police. Sources said the operation was carried out on intelligence inputs and in coordination with central agencies. Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge confirmed the arrest and said authorities were examining the nature of the suspect's contacts and the purpose behind those communications.
Jun 24, 2026 02:28 PM IST
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse
Ravik Bhattacharya and Sweety Kumari from Kolkata are reporting that the army has been called in for rescue, and over two dozen are feared trapped after an under-construction warehouse collapsed in South Kolkata's Taratala.
Jun 24, 2026 02:12 PM IST
Jaipur momo vendor suffers burns during anti-encroachment drive ahead of VIP movement
A 27-year-old woman street vendor sustained serious burn injuries during a police drive to clear roadside carts ahead of a VIP movement in Jaipur's Jagatpura area. The incident occurred on June 19 near Mahal Road when police were removing vendors before a chief ministerial convoy was scheduled to pass. Reshu Gupta, who runs a momo cart, alleged that a police officer forcefully pushed her steamer despite being warned about the boiling water inside, causing it to spill over her and inflict severe burns on her chest, arms and thighs. Her family claimed police personnel left without offering assistance and later attempted to settle the matter. Police have denied on it and said the circumstances are under investigation, with CCTV footage being examined.
Jun 24, 2026 02:03 PM IST
NEET re-test fraud busted in Bihar; MBBS students linked to solver gang, 30 arrested
A Bihar police investigation into a "dummy candidate" racket uncovered after the NEET-UG re-test in Lakhisarai has revealed the involvement of at least two MBBS students allegedly linked to an inter-state solver gang. Police have arrested 30 people, including nine impersonators, biometric verification staff, and other accomplices. According to investigators, students already enrolled in MBBS and other professional courses allegedly appeared in the examination on behalf of registered candidates at three centres in Lakhisarai. The racket is suspected to have operated with the help of biometric verification personnel, enabling imposters to bypass security checks using forged documents and fake Aadhaar cards. Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police Prerna Kumar said one of the accused was a fourth-year MBBS student from Muzaffarpur, appears to have acted as a link between the solver gang and candidates. Another arrested MBBS student was allegedly associated with the biometric verification team.
Police are also seeking details from the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding the firms responsible for biometric verification at the exam centres.
Jun 24, 2026 01:26 PM IST
Incessant rain wreaks havoc in Arunachal, 3 missing
Continuous heavy rainfall caused flash floods in Arunachal Pradesh’s Keyi Panyor district on Wednesday, flooding low-lying areas and damaging 18 houses. Landslides on a national highway also disrupted traffic, leaving several people stranded. Three people have been reported missing amid the weather-related incidents.
Jun 24, 2026 01:00 PM IST
Mumbai wall collapse near Suncity complex on JVLR
An incident of wall collapse was reported in Vikhroli late on Tuesday after a 50-metre-long wall near the Suncity complex along JVLR came crashing. According to preliminary information, no injuries have been reported so far. More details are awaited.
Jun 24, 2026 11:34 AM IST
Kerala High Court cancels oaths taken over deities, martyrs
Oaths taken by local body members in names other than ‘God’ while taking office are not legally valid, the Kerala High Court has ruled according to news agency PTI.
Several had taken their oaths in the name of deities or martyrs following the local elections last year.
News Alert ! Kerala HC invalidates oaths taken by local body members in names other than 'God' or solemn affirmation pic.twitter.com/PPrZ49Wh3N
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 24, 2026
Jun 24, 2026 11:19 AM IST
Two held over ‘fake’ forensic reports in Bhagwant Mann video controversy
The Gurgaon Police have arrested two men accused of issuing allegedly fabricated forensic reports linked to a controversial video allegedly involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Investigators said the accused, Ankit Bhardwaj and Arun Mahendru, were contract employees with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Haryana’s Parivar Pehchan Patra programme, respectively, but were not associated with any recognised forensic laboratory.
According to police, the duo issued separate reports concluding that the person seen in the video was not Mann. However, the laboratories they claimed to represent, Cypher Sentinel in Jind, Haryana, and Cyber Yaan in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, were found to have no official accreditation or existence in government records. The arrests were made following a complaint by forensic expert Jaspreet Singh, who alleged that he was pressured to obtain favourable opinions and paid ₹10 lakh for the reports. Police said they have gathered evidence regarding the money trail and are also probing allegations involving two senior Punjab Police officers.
Jun 24, 2026 11:12 AM IST
Newlywed couple die by suicide in Punjab; ex-partner booked
A newly married couple from Boothgarh village near Khanna in Punjab's Ludhiana district, around 60 km west of Chandigarh, allegedly died by suicide within a day of each other. Gurkaramdeep Singh (34), an architect, died by suicide on Sunday, while his wife Jasmine Nagra (24) allegedly took her own life on Monday, reportedly unable to cope with her husband's death. Following a complaint by Gurkaramdeep's mother, police have registered an FIR against Navjot Kaur, a married woman and his former partner, accusing her of harassment, demanding money, and threatening to implicate him in a rape case. The family alleges the sustained pressure caused severe mental stress to Gurkaramdeep.
Jun 24, 2026 10:45 AM IST
Abhijit Dipke of Cockroach Janta Party to appear before ministry review committee
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), will appear before a government panel to discuss the blocking of his outfit’s X (formerly Twitter) account in India, he said in a post on the micro-blogging site.
Dipke said he will attend a hearing of the review committee of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Today at 3 PM, I will personally appear before the Review Committee of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology regarding the withholding of our account, @CJP_2029.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) June 24, 2026
Jun 24, 2026 10:17 AM IST
Thousands join 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar
Thousands of Shia Muslims participated in the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar on Wednesday, with mourners taking to the streets in large numbers. District police personnel distributed water and refreshments among the Shia mourners.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.js#watch | J&K | Shia Muslims take to the streets in large numbers to participate in the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar.
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2026
District Police distributes water and refreshments among the Shia mourners pic.twitter.com/WAgmRQDuog
Jun 24, 2026 10:11 AM IST
Fire guts around 200 tin-shed structures near Udyog Bhawan
A fire swept through a settlement of temporary tin-shed dwellings housing labourers near Udyog Bhawan in the early hours of Wednesday, destroying nearly 200 structures, according to an official from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). The fire was brought under control after more than two hours, and despite the involvement of several LPG cylinders, no casualties or injuries were reported. The incident occurred near the ongoing demolition site of Udyog Bhawan as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.js#watch | Delhi | Fire fighting operations underway in the slums near Udyog Bhawan area. 20 fire fighting units present at the scene. The fire has been brought under control. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/dHkX2F6kK5
— ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2026
Jun 24, 2026 10:08 AM IST
Mumbai records over 200 mm of rainfall in 8 hours after monsoon onset
Mumbai woke up to flooded roads and severe traffic snarls Wednesday after an intense overnight spell of rain dumped more than 200 mm of rainfall across several parts of the city within eight hours, after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officially announced the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon. IMD, which issued a yellow alert and predicted heavy rain, issued a red nowcast warning for Mumbai and Palghar districts at 4 am, amid the possibility of intense spells, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. The weather bureau downgraded the district’s nowcast to an orange alert at 7 am. It has also sounded a yellow alert for Mumbai until Thursday morning. Read Here
Jun 24, 2026 09:56 AM IST
Tourist bus overturns in Tamil Nadu; 24 injured
At least 24 people, including 10 children, were injured after a tourist bus overturned following a tyre burst on a national highway in Tamil Nadu's Viluppuram district on Wednesday. According to officials, the bus lost control after one of its tyres burst while it was travelling along the highway, causing the vehicle to overturn.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO |Tamil Nadu: At least 24 people, including 10 children, injured as a tourist bus overturns after tyre burst on National Highway in Viluppuram.#tamilnadunews #vilippuram
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 24, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/nywp6lz5oF
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